Wireless Robot Lawn Mover: Ecovacs GOAT A3500 Review

In this post, I’m going to spend two weeks with the ECOVACS GOAT A2500. I’ll take you through what it’s like to set up, and how you mark out your lawn if you don’t use boundary wire. I’ll take a look at the different settings and options for this robot lawnmower and show you exactly how it works. I’ll wrap things up with both the pros and the cons and let you know if I think this device might be right for you.

I would like to say thank you to ECOVACS for becoming an ongoing sponsor of the channel this year. While the company is paying for my time, it has not told me what I have to say and what I can’t say, and I got to test the lawnmower out as I wanted to. So you can consider these thoughts on my own.

ECOVACS has truly made a name for itself in the crowded market of robot vacuum mops. I gave the last four ECOVACS products perfect review scores as they have enough quality features and capabilities that outweigh their premium price tags and large base stations. Clearly ECOVACS has the technology and full understanding when it comes to cleaning all kinds of indoor rooms.

But can ECOVACS score some outdoor victories too? Back in September 2023, ECOVACS launched the company’s first fully-automated robot lawn mower strangely called the GOAT. This was a bold move by ECOVACS because the robot lawn mower market is crowded with some other brands you might not be familiar with if you never purchased a lawn mower before. To give some examples, I reviewed the Husqvarna Automower 415X more than a year ago and checked out the RoboUP lawn mower at CES 2024. But this 2025, mainstream brands like Eufy are creeping into the lawn mower market and ECOVACS looks set to expand the GOAT to more countries. I finally had my chance to try the GOAT and put it through its paces.

Watch the FULL Video Review of Ecovacs Goat A2500

Unboxing: Ecovacs GOAT A2500

I received the A2500 model, designed to cut up to 5/8 acre, 27,000 square feet, or 2,500 Square meters. In other words… A really big lawn.
The first piece is out of the box are both menacing and mysterious. A spiky triad, and 2 metal posts.
Next stop is the top piece of the base station. Then it’s time to meet our GOAT… the robot is quite large and you might want a hand to get it out of the box.

Underneath the robot is a box of components, cables and connections which will dig into in a moment. Finally at the very bottom is the base tray for the robot.
With everything laid out here some of the components might look mysterious, but in essence what you have is 3 sets of components: the robot, base station, and the cylinder, poles and spikes make up what’s called an RTK Reference Station.

RTK reference station

I’ll pause here for just a second because these components are still unique and new enough to us average consumers that a crash course will be handy.

RTK stands for Real-Time Kinematic , and an RTK reference station is basically a GPS receiver that transmits real-time data about the location of your robot.

This allows the robot to know precisely where it is so it can cut your lawn in very straight even rows, unlike many other robot lawnmowers which are stuck doing random bumps and loops inside a wired boundary.

Assembly and set up

If you haven’t already done so, download and log into or sign up for the ECOVACS app. The app is going to walk you through the rest of the set up process, and it will help you place your components.

You have two things to take into account when you’re doing your set up: first is the location of the base station, and the second is the position of the RTK station post.

For the RTK station, connect the two poles to the metal stakes. To place it, you need an open area at least 6 feet away from buildings and not under trees or overhangs; it needs a clear view of the sky. But you need to take that location into account when you’re placing the base Station to some extent because they are wired together.

Fortunately the app will test the signal and let you know if it’s clear, or you need to move it. Lastly, connect the cable from the RTK Station to the base.

The two parts of the base station simply click together. It probably goes without saying but you will need to keep the base station within reach of a plug. You’ve got about 10 meters/33 feet of cord here which helps.

With the base station, it also needs to be a clear and accessible area where the robot can come and go. You need approximately 6 1/2 feet on either side and along the back of the base.

I was able to place mine on a sandy area adjacent to the grass, but you could certainly place this somewhere right on your lawn as well.
With both the RTK station and the base in place you can use the included pegs or screws to secure the base plate to the ground.

Mapping

The last step before you can have a freshly trimmed lawn is to map your yard.

There are two ways to go about this and which one you choose will depend on your yard. If you have a fairly flat yard without a lot of obstacles, narrow areas or drop offs, you can use what’s called automatic mapping.

The other option is manual mapping and I chose this option because we do have an area of the lawn that does have about a 3 to 4 inch drop where some edging was removed.

The great thing about manual mapping though is that it’s easy and can be done in a couple of minutes.

What you’ll do is enable the mapping function and the app will give you a joystick. You’ll use the joystick to drive your robot along the edges of the yard, while you follow behind, maintaining a local Bluetooth connection for this task. This is fairly easy to do if a bit unfamiliar. You’ll also tell the app when you are leaving the base station and when you arrive so it always knows how to get your goat home. Because my lawn is largely rectangular this was quite easy to do. This might be a little fiddlier with more organically shaped lawns.

How well does Ecovacs Goat cut grass?

When you’re ready to have your lawn cut, you have a few different options. You can simply tap the app and send the robot out anytime you want. You can also schedule daily or weekly cuttings.

I am a huge fan of having ECOVACS GOAT A2500 cut the lawn overnight, every other day. Because the lawnmower runs completely silently it’s not going to disturb me or any of my neighbors. Take a listen… The goat is actually a ninja. You could take a nap right next to this thing and never hear a peep.

The bot moves pretty quickly as well. Officially, the mowing Speed is 2.3 feet or 0.7 M per second, or 400㎡/h* or 4,300 Square feet per hour. That translates to it being able to cut my entire lawn in about

If I flip the robot over you can see a little better how it works. On this model, two spinning blade arrays with three blades each mulch down the lawn. Which brings me to another great feature of a robot like this, and that’s that you never have to rake up grass clippings. Because the robot is only clipping small amounts from the lawn, these are easily absorbed and composted back into your lawn. So that probably goes without saying that you won’t be able to use it to cut extremely tall grass.

Another really great feature I want to call out here is that it will cut your lawn in perfect rows. Older lawn robots without cameras and recognition technology are forced to simply bump their way around your yard in a random pattern, and only constant outings keep the whole lawn clipped.

But with ECOVACS GOAT A2500, the robot can position itself exactly on the map and cut out perfect rows every time. In fact it will even reverse the row direction every other week to keep from developing ruts

Cutting height & Slope

When it comes to the specifics, the goat can cut grass from 1.2-3.6 inches tall, and it’s adjustable to your preference.
And if you have a hilly lawn, this is the ideal bought for you. With its big chunky back tires with plenty of grip, it can easily manage up to a 50% grade or 27 degree slope.

Edge mowing

The GOAT is also able to get right up to edges. To some extent this will rely on you mapping your lawn carefully at the outset, but it’s also assisted by a 3D camera with AI recognition, that can help it see where it’s going. You can also enable something called cross boundary mowing where the robot will straddle the map boundary to further get the edges of the lawn trim

Obstacle avoidance

The recognition tech also makes it pretty remarkable at avoiding obstacles. The camera can help it spot things like a wayward hose, dog toy, or other obstacle, as you can see in my full video review.

It will also divert if it detects a person or a pet in its path, and while it nudged the end of my shoe, it turned right around and moved away.

No-go zones

I noted earlier I have a small drop off on my lawn. It did trip up the robot a handful of times. I decided to set a no go zone for this edge simply to keep it out of trouble.

To do this you’ll essentially use the joystick and walk the robot over to the area you want to block off. Roll the robot around that area, and then save it. It’s easy, and extremely helpful to keep the GOAT from getting stuck.

Zones

Depending on the complexity of your yard, you can divide your space up into different zones that can be cut at different times.

IPX6 Waterproof

Sadly one of the things most robot lawn mowers can’t identify is dog poop. That means you might occasionally need to hose off your robot. GOAT A2500 is IPX6 waterproof, meaning you can rinse it with water from the hose, but it wouldn’t be recommended to use a high pressure garden nozzle.

Security

There are a couple of features that work together to ensure your mower stays on your property and if it is potentially stolen, that you could find it.

First off, you can set a PIN code to make any changes on the device or to start it from the mower’s keypad.

If someone does lift up the mower to potentially carry it off, the GOAT A2500 is going to sound the alarm… and same thing if the mower is brought outside of your virtual boundary; alarms will go off.

The alarm isn’t overly loud, but it is enough to draw attention and perhaps make a thief think twice. Plus, once it sounds it takes a few minutes to shut it off, a further deterrent.

Finally, location tracking will always show the mower’s current location.

Can GOAT cut multiple unconnected areas?

You might be wondering if goat can cut multiple lawn areas. The answer is it depends on how they are separated. If there is no physical barrier, and something like a pathway connecting those two areas, the mower can map the entire space as one and then you can later divide into what are called zones. Then you can schedule cutting when you want on each of the zones.

If there is no way to get between those areas, so for example if you have a fenced front and backyard and might want to carry GOAT over to the other area, sadly, you can’t, because it does not currently support storing two separate maps.

But I will say… Many of Ecovacs robot vacuums now have the ability to store multiple maps, so perhaps this is a technology that could be added via a firmware update later.

Charging

The great thing about this robot is that it has a strong battery life and takes only about 45 minutes to recharge.
Because it will always return to its base station where it’s going to get a full charge, it should be ready to cut your lawn at a moment’s notice.

Overall Thoughts: ECOVACS GOAT A2500 RTK

Overall, I can’t believe what a huge leap forward ECOVACS GOAT A2500 is for robot lawnmowers. It essentially makes this technology extremely easy to deploy in almost any yard, because it removes one of the biggest barriers, which is the need to dig and bury boundary wire.

That alone is reason enough for me to want this machine, but let’s go over the pros and the cons so you can see if it might work for you.

On the pro side, this robot lawnmower could not be easier to set up and get working in your yard. The super easy walk behind mapping takes just minutes. The robot does an outstanding job at cutting the lawn, for a few reasons.
It’s powerful with very Efficient Mowing that cuts your lawn in neat rows, and it’s spinning dual blade discs underneath do a fast job.
It operates completely silently, meaning you can cut the lawn overnight when it’s not being used. It also has adjustable cutting height, and cuts your lawn in nice tidy rows.

It’s waterproof and washable in case it gets into some dirt. Plus with AI Vision and 3D LIDAR navigation, it can avoid obstacles on its own, cut right up to the edges of your lawn, and it has the ability to cut over 5/8 of an acre, so it can handle even some of the largest lawns. This is a truly remarkable robot lawnmower that is about to make older robot lawnmower technology obsolete.

But what are the potential downsides? I suppose for some people it could be finding a suitable location where the base station can access the lawn, while the RTK station can view the sky for connected GPS navigation.

The other potential downside could be the price, but I will take note the price of this product category has been coming down every year.

Ecovacs GOAT A2500 sells for about $1999 USD and is available from ECOVACS’ website and from Amazon.

In short, I can’t believe what an amazing robot lawnmower this is and it’s been an absolute dream for cutting my lawn. I can definitely recommend it for you.
You can also check out a couple other products I’ve reviewed that make me a huge fan of ECOVACS brand— and why I’m so grateful for them as an ongoing sponsor of my channel. The company makes truly great products that you can check out here on the blog.

The post Wireless Robot Lawn Mover: Ecovacs GOAT A2500 Review appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

I’m going to take a look at all the amazing properties of the Tineco Pure One Station 5: I’ll show you exactly what you get with this combination vacuum and base station with automatic emptying. I’ll also take a closer look at the special filtration options and how they help keep allergens at bay. I’ll put it through my special array of cleaning tests, and I’ll wrap things up with both the pros and the cons of this vacuum so you can see if it might be right for you.

I would like to say thank you Tineco for becoming an ongoing annual sponsor of my channel. Though the company is paying for my time, it hasn’t told me what I have to say or what I can’t say and I got to test the vacuum out on my own terms so you can consider these thoughts my own.

Unboxing/What you get: Tineco Pure One Station 5

Let’s take a look at what’s in the box.

This vacuum is kind of a three-in-one device, so unboxing there are several parts and components in here.

First out of the gate is the motorized brush head with its anti-tangle roller brush. Next is the removable and rechargeable battery. Two key components of the vacuum are next starting with the combination tool which is both a crevice tool and dusting brush, followed by the extension tube.

The tube lets you use the vacuum as a full-size stick vacuum, or remove it and put the attachments directly into the motor for a handy handheld vacuum.

Speaking of which, the main motor unit with dustbin attached is next, and it feels both sturdy and lightweight.

In the bottom of the box are the three pieces of the Pure One auto emptying and charging station; there’s a top section, the main base unit with its extra large capacity dust bin, and in the box underneath the rest of the cardboard, is a base plate.

See it in action: Watch my FULL hands-on video review here:

Assembly

Everything assembles quickly and easily; just stack the pieces of the base station onto the plate until they click into place. Then plug it in.

The vacuum assembles by sliding the battery pack onto the bottom of the motor handle then you can click the extension hose and cleaner head into place.

The vacuum slides into the top of the dock and a small clip holds the bottom of the vacuum firmly in place.

Filtration: 12 layers of filtration to combat allergies

While we let it charge up, let’s take a look at some of the filtration elements, and them I’m going to get to the cleaning tests.

Tineco says there are 12 components to the filtration and that’s what should make it ideal for capturing allergens.

There’s filtration in both the base station and in the vacuum itself.

Starting with the base station, we have the first 6 sets of filtration: two sets of cyclonic force pull debris away and trap it with a larger filter. Then, ever smaller filters, and two sponge filters trap fine particles.

A HEPA filter located in the rear of the base is the final line of defense that prevents fine dust, pollen, and other allergens from escaping back into your home.

The *vacuum* also filters particles too, thanks to the built-in cyclone and large mess filter, air then passes through a second cyclone and two levels of sponge filter before ending at another HEPA filter.

If you’re keeping tabs that’s another six filters in the vacuum for a total of 12 stages of filtration.

Both HEPA filters and the sponge filters are replaceable and should definitely be replaced yearly depending on how often you vacuum.

Cleaning tests

Anytime I test out a vacuum I put them all through the same tests. I’ll use them around the house for a week or so just to see what the overall experience is like, day to day.

Then, I’ll vacuum spills on both carpet and hard floors; everything from finer flower or cornmeal, two middle sized bits like rice or oatmeal and larger cracker pieces.

Let’s take a look at how Tineco Pure One Station 5 vacuum performs on hard floors first, and do consider watching my full review video to actually see how it performs in real time.

On the fine flour test, you can see it’s able to suck up everything in just one pass. With its large diameter roller brush underneath, that means more gets pulled in in each pass, which translates to less work for you.

Same thing with oatmeal.

With larger bits like these crackers, you can adjust the vacuum height with a switch on the front to ensure you have enough clearance to inhale these, not just push them around. The remarkable thing about this vacuum too is the 120-degree wide-angle headlight that reminds me of a light sabre. It’s pretty amazing how much this helps: It lights up tiny crumbs that are all but invisible to the naked eye, like little beacons, making them much more visible so you can better see where you need to go. This feature is super impressive, and one of my favourites.

Moving to carpet and rugs, fine dust is no match for the vacuum, and the Pure One Station 5 vac was easily able to pull flour from down within the fibres. Plus it quickly whisks away rice and crackers too.

Handheld vacuum

Another great feature of the Pure One Station 5 is that you can convert it in two seconds from a full-size stick vacuum to a very capable handheld vacuum. Just clip in any of the attachments directly to the motorized handle and you’ve instantly got a pint sized powerhouse vacuum which is just as powerful and just as capable as the full-size version. As a handheld, it can tackle everything from sofas and chairs, to other upholstery, and even make quick work of spills in the car. We even used it on a recent camping trip in our van to keep all the doggy dirt from becoming a bigger mess!

 Anti-tangle brush

One of the more common things a vacuum will find in this house is long hair. With a lot of vacuums, unless you clean them constantly, the hair tends to wrap around the brush creating tangles and reducing performance.

Tineco has engineered this vacuum with a special anti-tangle design. Take a closer look: The V shaped roller brush is better able to whisk hair off of the brush before it gets wound up, while the dual comb design untangles and lifts it into the dustbin. That makes this vacuum ideal for not just those with long-haired humans in the house, but long-haired pets as well.

Self cleaning vacuum

Usually the tedious part about vacuuming is dumping out the dust bin. Just opening it over a trashcan or tapping it out after each cleaning session can reintroduce all kinds of dust and particles into the air every day.

And if you’re an allergy sufferer—and after you’ve gone to all that trouble of filtration like we talked about earlier, that would be the last thing you want. That’s why Tineco built the Pure One Station for this vacuum.

When you’re done vacuuming, the station will automatically self-clean the entire vacuum, not only fully emptying the dustbin, but it also engages the motorized cleaning head, to ensure that is clean as well, then it cleans out the extension tube too so that small bits won’t become big blockages in the future. You never need to take it apart to clean it after use.

Tineco says Station 5 uses what’s called a full-path self-cleaning process, ensuring no dust hides inside the tube or brush.

The station’s large 2.5L eco dustbin holds days and days worth of debris and dust. And because it doesn’t use a disposal bag, there’s no need to purchase refills. Just empty it every week or two whenever it needs it.

I want to touch on one last great feature of this vacuum, and that’s that the base station is also a charging dock. As long as you keep your vacuum docked, you will always have a fully charged battery, ready to clean your entire house.

Battery life & Runtime

In fact with a full battery you should get about 70 minutes of run time every single time you reach for it. That also gives you the option of keeping the vacuum nearby off the dock, knowing you’ll have more than an hour of running time.

Overall thoughts: Tineco Pure One Station 5

Overall, Tineco has made some really great, useful improvements to this vacuum and self cleaning and filtering dock. Let’s go over both the pros and the cons so you can see if it might be right for your home

On the pro side, the cleaning power is very strong. It was easily able to tackle everything from day-to-day pet hair, to more challenging spills with ease.

The 12 layers of filtration should be a huge boon to those with allergies.

I like the fact the motorized cleaner head is height-adjustable in case you need to vacuum up larger pieces or if you need to get closer to carpet fibers.

The vacuum was easy to set up and assemble and it looks like a nice tidy package, since all the accessories store in the dock. This is the kind of vacuum you won’t mind leaving out in the open.

The vacuum converts from stick to handheld and back in seconds making it incredibly versatile. With anti-tangle construction, it’s ideal for home with pets and long haired humans.

Plus with a long battery life, and automatic charging and auto-emptying and internal cleaning of the vacuum, you should never have to worry about lingering dust, musty smells, or tedious maintenance. Plus with no need for vacuum bags, you’ll have zero ongoing costs.

So what are the potential downsides? Some folks might find the station is quite tall and potentially difficult to place. It does also need to be near a plug. But those should be easy to work around, particularly since the vacuum offers more than 70 minutes of runtime even when kept off the base station.

In short, I’m really enjoying our new Tineco Pure One Station 5. It sells for about $459USD and you can get one from Tineco’s website … or HERE  from Amazon.

The post Tineco Pure One Station 5 FULL review AND how it battles allergies appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

In this video I’m going to show you the Kwikset Halo Select smart deadbolt lock. I’ll take you through the surprisingly easy installation with just a screwdriver, then I’ll look at all the things you can do with it, including locking your door from anywhere on the planet! I’ll wrap things up with both the pros and the cons and help you see if it’s right for your home.

A quick thank you to Kwikset for sponsoring this video. While they are paying for my time they haven’t told me what I have to say or what I can’t say about this lock, so these thoughts are all mine.

What is Kwikset Halo Select?

Kwikset Halo Select is a smart deadbolt that can be used to unlock your door in four ways: using an included key, with a numeric passcode, remotely with your smartphone, or hands-free with your preferred voice assistant.

With the ability to add hundreds of users, you can grant access to relatives, friends or tradespeople easily, including scheduling when those users are allowed to open the door.

With the Kwikset app, you can see who used the lock and when, great for checking on curfews, you can double check if the door is locked, and even get real time notifications about who’s accessing it.

All the features use Wi-Fi so the lock is visible and accessable from anywhere on earth. And with Matter support, that means you can plug the lock into a wider smart home set up too.

Unboxing/What you get

Let’s unbox the Halo Select Smart lock to see what you get inside.

The lock consists of two pieces; a keypad or outdoor touchscreen faceplate and an indoor thumb lock.

Kwikset has cleverly boxed the rest of the components into three separate kits which helps you keep everything straight during the installation process.

In box #1 you get an adjustable latch which should fit any standard door, plus AA batteries are included, as are screws.

Box #2 has a sensor magnet, screws and a strike plate, while Box #3 has a mounting plate, screws and a set of two physical keys, plus a smart key, which allows you to easily re-key the Halo Select lock to match existing locks you may already have at home.

Easy app

Not in the box but integral to the locks operation is the Kwikset app. Once you download the app and sign up for or sign into your account, the app will guide the installation, so get that started.

Installation: just a screwdriver

While it may seem like there’s a lot of intimidating and mysterious parts in the box, the Kwikset app is going to walk you through the entire process and since all you need is a screwdriver, it’s easy—it took me just 15 minutes.

One very important thing to note is that the only tool you need is a screwdriver. If you might consider using a power drill, don’t, because that can over-tighten things and potentially damage your new lock.

I’m going to cover the installation basics, but take note, this is not a detailed how to. You can also watch my video to see how easy it was.

The first step is going to be to remove your old lock, which should just come out by removing a few screws.

Next you’ll insert the deadbolt mechanism into the door and screw it in place. Then grab the faceplate and feed the Cable underneath the deadbolt, and through the dedicated opening in the bottom of the mounting plate. Next, secure the mounting plate at the back to the face plate in the front with the screws. A quick check using the physical keys should tell you if things are aligned correctly.

Then set the thumb screw or turn piece at the back, remove the cover from the interior portion of the lock and pull out the battery tray. Connect the cable into the back of the lock by sliding it into a small opening then you’ll fix the back of the lock to the door with two screws and just your screwdriver. Pop the batteries into the tray and click the battery pack into place. This should trigger the lock to power up and you’ll see a light come on.

There’s a small button inside the back of the cover below the battery pack which you’ll push and hold for three seconds to initiate Bluetooth pairing. Once that blue light is flashing, use the app to pair the lock to your phone. Once paired, the lock will initiate a calibration sequence which will check that the mechanism is opening and locking correctly.

Once that step is complete the app will prompt you to connect to your home Wi-Fi network so you can gain wider use of the lock through the app.

And that’s it – you are done and ready to use your lock… and I’m just going to pause for a second here and call out the fact that this lock, of the many I’ve tested over the years, is the absolute easiest one I’ve ever installed and connected. The instructions were super easy to follow and everything worked on the first try.

Next, the app will prompt you with a few choices for some settings.

For example you can have the lock automatically engage after a certain period of time, or if it detects your phone at a certain distance from the home.

You can also change settings where the lock will use audible alerts, or the indicator light is used.

There’s also another setting I highly recommend on smart locks called Secure Screen. With this setting enabled, the lock will add randomly generated digits you have to tap before you enter your access code. This is very helpful and smart because it prevents someone from potentially looking for fingerprints or smudges on the keypad of the lock and simply trying to input those digits to gain access.

Using Kwikset Halo smart lock

When it comes to using this lock, there’s actually not a lot to talk about because this is going to integrate incredibly easily into your life and routine.

With a bright LED backlit touchscreen it’s easy to see the keypad numbers day or night. The touchscreen is UV-, water- and humidity-resistant to keep your display clear and responsive —Great for those of us who live in extreme climates.

Even in just my first few uses of this lock, I can tell that the touchscreen is far more responsive than my old lock. Keying in the code works as quickly as I can type and the lock mechanism opens quite fast too.

I like the pin code simply for its ease of use and convenience, but of course the lock will also open with a quick tap on your smart phone. This works similarly quickly and allows you to provide remote entry anytime you need to, or to lock the door if you forgotten after you’ve already left the house. Of course you can always use the key if you’re old school like that.

For those folks who are prone to worrying about whether or not door is actually locked after they leave, a simple glance at the screen of the app will confirm your door’s status – no matter where in the city or the world you are. And if you did forget to lock it, just tap on the app to secure your home in an instant.

Smart Home Integration

Because this lock is smart, you can connect it to your preferred digital assistant for easy voice control. Using it with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home and Google Home, you can also create helpful automations or routines where you can say something like Hey G- Goodnight, and all your smart lights will turn off, the doors will lock automatically, and your alarm system will engage.

Add users easily

For people that travel a lot or anyone having cleaning or renovations done, adding users is simple and quick with the app. Just generate an access code yourself or ask the app to create a random one for you and you can issue codes to anyone you need. As I noted you can make these codes active only during certain times of day or days of the week if you want.

Matter integration

Bright even at night.

While we’re on the subject of smart homes, some folks will be glad to know that Kwisket Halo Select is Matter-enabled. Matter allows smart home devices to talk to each other even if they’re manufactured by different companies. You’ll be able to connect your Kwikset lock to other smart home devices and control them automatically through any compatible smart home platform including Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa or Samsung SmartThings.

Plus, Matter uses a technology called Thread and is more reliable because devices can directly connect to each other. That means even if your internet goes down, you’ll still have control inside the house and your automations will still run.

Not all the features in the Kwikset app are currently available with Matter and features are dependent on the ecosystem you are connecting to. If you’re already using Matter and want to know more, Kwikset’s website can help guide you.

Intrusion detection and Door Ajar notifications

This lock has some additional features which can be extremely helpful during unexpected situations.

If you accidentally leave the door ajar, you can get notifications from the app to let you know.

Similarly, if someone is attempting to access the lock or bypass it, the app will send you an alert.

Overall thoughts: Kwikset Halo Select

Overall I have to say I’ve been pretty blown away Kwikset Halo Select. I’ve been using and reviewing smart locks for years, and the technology has obviously come along way in the last decade. But even in the last few years, I’ve still seen smart locks that are incredibly difficult to install, configure, and use. So I can say it without hesitation that Kwikset Halo Select has been the easiest lock to install, the quickest to configure and set up, and the best to use.

And above all it gives me major confidence that my home is secure.

Let’s go over both the pros and cons so you can see if this smart lock might be right for you.

On the pro side, the design is simple and should fit in with many aesthetics. The installation was absolutely dead simple and took me less than15 minutes. I really appreciate the fact this lock uses easily available double A batteries so they can be inexpensively and easily replaced.

The lock itself is incredibly responsive and the touchscreen reacts instantly. I love the option for secure screen where additional numbers are generated before you input your pin so a burglar won’t simply be able to look for fingerprints on your keypad to gain access. Plus with a host of other smart features like door ajar and intrusion notifications, this lock goes along way too making you feel safe.

And the app is incredibly intuitive and user-friendly and makes it easy to add or delete temporary or permanent users in seconds.

Plus with Matter integration, this lock is future proof and ready for the next generation of smart home devices.

So what are the potential downsides? I guess the biggest potential issue could be that at the moment, this lock is only available as a deadbolt, so if you were hoping to get a handle or a knob replaced, this wouldn’t work for that application. Some folks also might not like the idea of changing the batteries instead of recharging them. One thing I will give points to however is the battery life indicator which is visible front and centre on the app, so you’ll always know when you’re running low on juice.

In short, I personally have zero complaints about this lock, and it is now going to replace my old lock permanently because it checks the top four boxes for me which are easy to use, easy to install, highly customizable, and extraordinarily secure. For those reasons I can absolutely absolutely recommend Kwikset Halo Select smart lock for you.

Visit Kwikset.com or your favorite home improvement retailer to learn more or shop Halo Select on Amazon.

The post Kwikset Halo Select Smart Lock Full Review appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

The best way to get healthy is the subject of eternal debate. Is it exercise? Eating better? Or a combination of the two? And even if you’re already exercising and eating healthy, that’s no guarantee of losing weight or building muscle. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a hack for that? A simple device that could tell you what’s going on inside your body and make recommendations for what to eat and how to burn fat? That’s the premise of Lumen.

What is Lumen?

Lumen is what’s called a metabolic measuring device. It measures carbon dioxide in your body, using your breath.

When paired with the Lumen app, Lumen can determine the amount of carbon dioxide in your lungs which in turn should show whether your body is burning carbs or burning fat.

Lumen then uses this CO2 info to recommend what you should eat to help you take on common health goals, like losing weight, sleeping better, or gaining energy.

Why use Lumen?

I just started a fitness routine again after nearly a decade away from the gym. So the opportunity to review Lumen came at just the right time for me.

I’m very interested in what I should and shouldn’t be eating, both to give me enough energy for my one hour workouts with a personal trainer, but also to maintain health and energy levels through the day—and to burn some extra fat.

I’d like to say thank you to Lumen for sponsoring this video. Though they have paid me for my time and answered all my questions about the device, they haven’t told me what I have to say or what I can’t say about it, and I got to test it as I wanted to, so you can consider these thoughts my own.

Watch my full video about Lumen

Meet your metabolism

So what is your metabolism, how does it factor into your health and what’s Lumen going to do with it?

Metabolism is how your body turns food into fuel. To further liken it to a car, you could say your metabolism is your body’s engine: put in the right kind of gas (food), and the car runs well and reliably. Wrong gas and you’re sputtering at the side of the road.

Understanding how your metabolism works, what it uses up and when, versus what it feels the need to store, can be the key to unlocking those health benefits I listed earlier.

How does Lumen work?

The device is simple to use and only requires breathing into and out of; I was getting a reading in less than 30 seconds.

The CO2 concentration is measured using a unique breathing maneuver, which is odd the first time, but easy once you know what to do, and I highly recommend following the Lumen tutorial and practising it before you try to get readings.

At its bare minimum you can breathe into Lumen once each day in the morning. As you start to learn more about what’s happening with your body, you can breathe into it and get readings throughout the day; before or after a workout or meals, before bed or at any time you want to know what’s happening inside your body.

The info gathered from your breath is stored in the app and Lumen also tracks your sleep, what you eat, and when and how you exercise in order to provide you with both a score that reflects how healthy your metabolism is, and recommendations for how you can adjust it.

Lumen’s role is to teach you about your metabolic state and help you plan what food to eat to help you adapt to common health goals, like losing weight and gaining energy.

But more than telling you to eat specific foods and how many times to exercise, Lumen educates you on how your body reacts to your diet.

Unboxing & Set up

Let’s take a look at what you get: Lumen is not a small investment so it’s nice to see the company has delivered on a premium looking package here.

Inside the box is the Lumen MFV2 device on top. Yes, you may be thinking it looks a bit like a vape pen, and you’re not the only one, but given what it’s designed to do, I don’t know that there’s a way around that.

Underneath are a few additional pieces including the docking station and USB-C cable for charging, as well as a small travel pouch for carrying.

The handheld Lumen contains a pressure sensor and a carbon dioxide sensor which is used to determine the carbon dioxide concentration in a single breath.

Once your reading is taken, the device uses Bluetooth to connect to the Lumen app where you’ll view your results and further instructions.

You’ll also want to download the Lumen app and you’ll answer a few health related questions in there that will help put your readings in context. Once you’ve set up the device and added your personal information it’s time to take that first reading.

Taking a Lumen reading

Taking a reading with Lumen is actually pretty straightforward and you’re getting real-time feedback.

I did find it helpful, like I said, to do the practice tutorial so I could understand how strongly to breathe and for how long. What you’re going to be doing is inhaling a fixed volume of air through Lumen, holding it for about 10 seconds, and then exhaling fully.

Lumen’s app gives you a visual reference for how to do this; essentially coaching you to keep a small ball floating in the centre of a virtual circle. In my testing, it was a five second inhale, holding my breath for 10 seconds and then a five or six second exhale. Lumen has actually upgraded its hardware to make this very easy to do and I had no trouble with it.

Lumen delivers the reading in seconds. Then, based on what it finds, it may alter your recommended nutrition plan for the day.

My Lumen readings

The first few days I didn’t make any changes whatsoever to my diet, sleep schedule or exercise regimen. I simply took a reading in the morning and got my results.

Lumen rates what your body is burning on a scale of one to five. Five is where you’re burning mostly carbs, while 1 is burning mostly fat.

I started out at Level 3, then for most of those first days Lumen told me I was burning mostly carbs; hovering at Level 5. But for someone trying to lose a few pounds, ideally, I should be burning mostly fat.

That’s when I decided to adjust my eating to see if what Lumen recommends for food would create noticeable change.

I used the recommendations in the app to cut carbs way back and focused on eating protein and vegetables and healthy fats. I was able to note a difference and my levels dropped down to Level 4.

Even so I was definitely wondering why I was not burning any fat at all. I started to think something wasn’t right with the device. I did my morning measurement the next day, and then did another measurement after a strenuous training session. I was glad to find that my Lumen level had dropped to Level 2, indicating I was now burning more fat.

I was glad to see that.

Meal plans with Lumen

I also had the opportunity to speak with someone from Lumen directly. I learned that following the eating plan is key to making improvements and adjustments in my fat burning abilities.

So I immediately moved into following the meal plan closely.

Lumen will give you different recommendations for what to eat on any given day, and may change it up based on your readings.

While the meal combinations are not overly numerous (I’d see about 14 recommended dishes for each meal; breakfast, lunch and dinner), there is definitely enough in there that I could always find something I wanted to eat, or food I had on hand. Plus, using the app you can swap any ingredients or customize what you’re having. The app will even tell you if something you might want to swap in is not a “recommended” replacement.

Of course you can simply eat what you want and log your own foods or dietary Macros too, and Lumen will factor that into your metabolism evaluation.

I generally eat a healthy diet and focus more on protein and vegetables, even leaning towards keto. I found the foods recommended to me were in line with what I’m already eating, and what I already enjoy.

Over the next week, I focused on following the Lumen food recommendations even more carefully, and found I was much more regularly getting into the fat burning stage.

It was at about this point I really began to feel Lumen was working for me.

Photo meal capture

One neat new feature of Lumen is that I can take a photo of my plate and Lumen can identify the food on it. Using my phone camera I was able to scan entire meals plus product barcodes and automatically log what I ate too.

My results

I would say that after using Lumen for about three weeks, I have definitely noticed a change in my health. Using Lumen combined with a regular exercise regimen, I have definitely lost fat and gained muscle, and I feel it in my clothes which fit better.

One of the biggest changes I have also noticed is that I seem to have a lot more energy throughout the day and don’t find myself feeling snacky in the afternoon, crashing after my morning coffee, or craving food late at night.

5 things I learned about Lumen from personal experience

After using Lumen for about 2 weeks, I’ve learned a few things about it.

Lumen is a lifestyle: Using Lumen isn’t something you’re going to do for a week and then put aside. It should be something you want to use daily, and even multiple times a day. In addition to the measurements, you should also plan to input your food and exercise into the app, so Lumen has your full health picture.

Lumen is a pathway to knowledge: Lumen can tell you whether your body is burning carbs or fat, and it can recommend daily eating plans as a result, but it’s up to you to both use those recommendations and learn how you can make changes to alter your metabolism.

Lumen is not a substitute for medical advice: While Lumen was developed by doctors, and uses research and scientific principals to help you, if you have health concerns, speak to a doctor before you start on any kind of health or fitness change.

Lumen can’t fix you. Only YOU can fix you: While having data and helpful scientific-backed advice can make a huge difference, you have to be willing to understand and use the data to your benefit.

Be adaptable: Lumen will adjust your meal plans each day based on your readings, exercise, and other factors. As someone who regularly plans meals a week in advance, I found it a bit strange to change my meal planning day-to-day. I found that keeping a stock of recommended healthy foods on hand allowed me to pivot easily from one day to the next based on what my readings show I need.

What is the Flex Score?

After about 16 days, Lumen will issue you what it calls a Flex Score. Your Flex Score is a rating out of 20, updated once each week, that evaluates how good your body is at switching from burning carbs to burning fat. The higher the score, the better.

After three weeks my Flex Score is currently 7.5. I have a way to go to improve it, but now that I have the meal plan and Lumen to guide me, I’m confident my body will get better at making this switch.

Overall review – Lumen Metabolic Coach

Overall I have to say I’ve learned a lot using Lumen. I’ve found the process to be incredibly eye-opening for my own health and wellness.

Let’s go over the pros and the cons of this device to see if it might be right for you.

On the pro side the set up process is incredibly easy and coordinating with the app takes just minutes. The battery life of Lumen is quite long; I’ve been using mine for three weeks and have not needed to charge it. I have found it quite helpful in guiding me to what’s happening in my body and how I can improve both my fitness and overall health. I have actually been enjoying the meal recommendations and not had any difficulty finding things I want to eat.

The app data is easy to understand and when Lumen readings are paired with the meal recommendations, I’ve found it’s possible to see a noticeable shift in my metabolism.

So what are the potential downsides?

As with much new technology, the price of this device may be a significant investment, but if you’re committed to following Lumen’s advice, I think the data is worth it. Given taking metabolic readings used to require spending hours in a sealed room with all kinds of gear strapped to you, the fact metabolic readings are now so easy, is pretty remarkable.
I also found the meal plans might feel kind of limited after a while, but since you can customize and swap ingredients in and out of each recommended food combo, it is possible to create additional customizations. I would like to see Lumen add a handful more recommended combos in the future though.

I’ve really enjoyed using Lumen and will be continuing with the device over the coming months.

Lumen costs $299 up front and a monthly app subscription with your data and meal planning is $19USD. If you use code ErinLTV and the link in my description you can get access to a special discount.

Visit lumen.me/erinltv and use code: ErinLTV for 15% off

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

The post Lumen Metabolic Device: review & what it does appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

Yeedi M12 PRO+

The Yeedi M12 PRO+ (see full review) is the robot vacuum that surprised me the most because it packs an incredible feature set along with the level of performance you’d normally expect from a vacuum costing over $1,000. Its impressive 11,000Pa suction power can take care of all sorts of dirty messes on hard floors and carpets. No need to worry about mopping afterwards either because the M12+ can mop your floors on the same cleaning run. The vacuum even has special sensors that tell it to lift the dual spinning mop heads when it approaches carpets. The Yeedi M12 PRO+ is truly a robot vacuum without compromise and is my top pick in this roundup if you have extra to spend.

Regular Price: $999USD, with discount, Current Price is $549.99. Amazon has this bot on sale, and you can find it here.

Watch the full video review

Yeedi M12 ULTRA PLUS

Powered by a brand-new high-speed motor Yeedi’s flagship M12 ULTRA PLUS delivers next-level cleaning efficiency, particularly on carpets where it’s ZeroTangle Anti-Tangle Technology and Dual Comb Teeth Arrays are great for homes with pets or long-haired humans. But with strong mopping capabilities to this is an ideal robot for homes with just as much hard flooring as carpeting. Yeedi’s TruEdge Adaptive Edge Mopping means precise edge cleaning and with OZMO TURBO 2.0 and Auto Small Tank Refill you can expect continuous water replenishment for optimized mopping and powering off of stubborn stains even if they’ve dried on. Plus the compact base station is ideal for smaller spaces.

Regular Price: $1099USD, with discount, Current Price is $619.99. Find M12 Ultra Plus on Amazon.

Yeedi C12 Combo

One of Yeedi’s newest offerings is this multi use kit which combines a capable robot vacuum with the helpful assistance of a built-in stick vacuum and mop that also doubles as a handheld. Everything empties into one bag central dust bin so there’s almost no maintenance required from you. This is a versatile kit which I have the chance to get hands on with recently so you can check out the full review here and find out why it’s ideal for not only automating much of your cleaning, but also being able to get into the spaces a robot vacuum just can’t go.

Regular Price: $899USD, with discount, Current Price is $559.99. Get C12 Combo at its lowest price yet on Amazon.

Watch the full video review

Yeedi C12 PRO PLUS

The Yeedi C12 PRO+ is a slightly toned-down version of the M12 PRO+ with 8,000Pa worth of suction power, but still powerful enough to deal with most heavy pile messes. While you must physically swap the vacuum bin with a mop bin to perform mopping duties, I still find the low price of this robot vacuum super competitive simply because most vacuums in this price range can’t mop at all! Read my full review of Yeedi C12 Pro Plus here.

Regular Price: $599USD, with discount, Current Price is $329.99.  Shop it on Amazon today!

Watch the full video review

Yeedi C12 PLUS

Yeedi specifically targeted the C12 PLUS robot vacuum to the super budget conscious while retaining almost all the power and features of the C12 PRO PLUS. As a vacuum, the C12 PLUS performs right up there with its superior C12 PRO PLUS sibling. The C12 PLUS retains the mopping function, but it lacks the OZMO PRO 2.0 mopping technology which I’ll explain in the Yeedi Innovations section. The package also comes with just one mopping pad instead of two. Go for this robot vacuum if mopping isn’t your major concern and you want a decent self-emptying station.

Regular Price: $479USD, with discount, Current Price is $299.99. Find C12 Plus on Amazon now.

Yeedi C12

The Yeedi C12 is a trip back to old days when docking stations only charged the robot vacuum. This means absolutely no extra bulk taking up space in the room, but also no automatic dumping ground convenience when the C12’s 0.4-liter dust box capacity fills up. The good news? The C12 retains several of the other innovations like the 8,000Pa suction power, ZeroTangle Technology, lidar navigation and mapping, and full compatibility with the Yeedi mobile app. This entry-level vacuum can mop as well, just in case your floor needs extra polish while you are away. Although the charging dock cannot wash or rinse the mopping pad, you may easily remove the pad and wash it yourself.

Regular Price: $399.99USD, with discount, Current Price is $169.99. Shop Yeedi C12 at its extraordinary price on Amazon.

Learn more about Yeedi tech innovations

What makes Yeedi several steps ahead of other budget brands are the technologies empowering the company’s vacuums. From finding a way to mop right to the edges of your floors, to all in one cleaning stations that are compact and extremely useful, to special OZMO mopping technology and zero tangle brushes, Yeedi is clearly at the forefront of the robot vacuum world. Learn a bit more about some of this extraordinary technology and where you can find it in the company’s products.

TruEdge Mopping (M12 Series Only)

The M12 Series features a mopping pad uniquely attached to an arm which can extend to reach spots its other stationary mopping pad can’t clean. This is useful for cleaning spills around corners and under baseboards.

All-in-One Station (M12 Series Only)

The Yeedi All-in-One Station features a unique modular design consisting of a dual chamber water tank for clean and dirty water and a dedicated compartment for the massive 3.4-liter dust bag. The station also doubles as a mop washer which uses hot water to dissolve grime and grease on the pads and hot air drying to get ready for the next mopping session.

OZMO Mega Mopping (C12 PRO PLUS Only)

Flat mopping pads have its limitations compared to the plushier spinning ones found in the M12 PRO+, but the C12 PRO PLUS model can still handle some messes thanks to the OZMO Mega Mopping System. OZMO Mega Mopping System works by vibrating the pad up to 480 times per minute, creating a scrubbing effect to help thoroughly clean stains.

Self-emptying Station (C12 COMBO, C12 PRO PLUS and C12 PLUS Only)

Yeedi’s Self-emptying station may not have the mop washing features or the large dustbin capacity, but it has a simpler, less bulky design. The dustbin doesn’t depend on bags either saving you the trouble of buying consumables.

ZeroTangle Vacuuming (All Models)

All vacuums use the same dual-bristle brush with ZeroTangle technology making any of the Yeedi vacuums decent for pet owners. The V-shaped brush design resembles other pricier vacuums that use a similar brush design.

Deep Clean Power (All Models)

The M12 ULTRA PLUS model may be the king of suction power with 11,800Pa, but the other vacuums are no slouch with 8,000Pa. Last year, I reviewed the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra and I was already impressed with its 6,000Pa suction power! Robot vacuums have gone a long way with deep cleaning power.

Learn more and compare Yeedi vacuum models

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Unlock Up to 58% Off: Yeedi’s Best Robot Vacuums at Unbeatable Prices This Black Friday! appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

If you’re ready to add a wireless video doorbell to your home, there’s never been a better time. Video doorbells are generally easy to install and can add a new level of security and connectivity to your home since they can let you answer the bell from anywhere. In this video, I’m checking out the Abode Wireless Video Doorbell. I’ll show you what you get, take you through the set up and installation and then go over how it works, and if it might be a good option for your home.

I’d like to thank Abode for sponsoring this post. The company has paid me for my time here, they have not told me what I have to say or what I can’t say about their video doorbell and I got to test it out on my own terms so you can consider these thoughts my own.

How does it work? Abode Wireless Video Doorbell

Abode Wireless Video Doorbell is a rechargeable video doorbell that connects to your Wi-Fi network, allowing you remote access to your doorbell camera at any time.
The doorbell can serve as a building block for a bigger smart home network if you have other products like the Abode Smart Bulb since you control them via the same Abode app.

Watch my video about Abode Video Doorbell

What’s in the Box?

Inside the box, you get the doorbell unit itself along with a separate chime which you connect to your home’s Wi-Fi router, and it appears the chime almost acts as a wireless hub for the bell. Abode also includes an Ethernet cable which you must use to connect the chime to your router during the set up of the doorbell.

For mounting, Abode includes both a standard flat wall mount as well as a 30-degree angled wedge mount just in case you need to tilt the doorbell’s video camera to view around any obstacles.

Abode also provides the mounting screws and hex keys for installation as well as an included USB-C charging cable.

Set up & Installation

I was pleasantly surprised at how quick and easy the set up and installation process was. Like most modern video doorbells, installation involves downloading an app (the official Abode app for iOS and Google Play) which guides you through the setup process and offers some tips for different front door arrangements.

Your first steps will be to initiate the doorbell, and connect the chime to your Wi-Fi router using that Ethernet cable. I had these steps taken care of in just a couple of minutes with good guidance from the app. Once you have paired the chime with the doorbell, you can safely unplug the Ethernet cable, as the chime will still connect to the router wirelessly (if you want) and this is helpful in case you wish to position the chime further away from the router. One thing to note is that the Abode doorbell cannot operate without the chime.

If installing a video doorbell intimidates you and wires freak you out, the Abode Wireless Video Doorbell is an ideal choice because you don’t need to hard-wire it at all, thanks to the internal battery. You simply screw the mounting bracket to your door frame or siding and click the rechargeable doorbell unit into place.

It is definitely one of the quickest and easiest installations I’ve done, because I wasn’t limited to placing the doorbell only where my old wires are, I was able to get a much better angle to view my doorstep.

Recording & subscriptions

Abode Wireless Video Doorbell has a couple of different options when it comes to how you want to use it and what you want to pay for, or not pay for, and if you just have one camera, or multiple. Plans start at $6.99USD or $8.99CAD per month and you can check out Abode’s website to see exactly what you get with each tier. I will point out that some type of monthly fee for video recording and cloud storage is standard operating procedure with almost all video doorbells.

If you opt for one of the paid plans, you’ll get the ability to look at the camera live any time, and your events like doorbell rings or motion detection will be stored in the cloud for 10 days, plus you get more detailed notifications to your phone about what’s happening. You can also adjust the recording duration; from just a few seconds, up to 30 seconds.

You can opt not to pay any monthly fee at all if you prefer, and simply let the chime notify you about any visitors. You should also get a simplified or generic push notification to your smart phone (‘An event has occurred’) that lets you know something is happening, but it doesn’t provide more detail. Looking at the camera via a live view and talking to whoever is there is also possible with the free plan. The free plan does not save any recordings.

Possibly worth noting is the doorbell doesn’t record video 24/7, which would just be impractical with a battery powered device but you can use the app to customize which events you want to be notified about.

Using the Doorbell

When someone rings the bell, the chime will make an audible sound inside your house. This is great for anyone who’s not already using the app since it means you’ll never miss a visitor.

If you would like to also get notifications to your phone, or view past instances of motion or rings, that is one of the features that does require a subscription, as noted earlier.
Otherwise, the Doorbell lets you open the app and take a live look at any time, and even talk to people who are there.

Smart Home Support

You will also be able to get notifications and even a live view of your camera on Amazon Echo Show devices to. I enabled this feature and found it was super convenient to have my Show devices both verbally announce an audible ring, and pop the feed up on the screen for me.

The Abode Wireless Video Doorbell also integrates with Google Home devices too.

Abode Smart Detect

Whenever the doorbell detects activity, it can harness the Abode cloud to identify the subject.

Abode Smart Detect (which is part of the paid subscription tiers) can recognize people, pets, or packages. If you have other Abode products with a video camera like the Abode Cam 2, these devices can use this feature as well. After enabling the feature in the app (Settings Motion Settings>Smart Detect), you can customize the push notification settings for each subject which can be useful to reduce unnecessary notifications.

Video quality

Full HD or 1080p resolution is table stakes for doorbell cameras today; you won’t find much if anything out there in a higher resolution, so rest assured you’re going to get the clearest possible view, particularly if you are viewing from a phone or small smart home assistant, the full HD resolution is just fine.

The camera also uses Starlight technology, which offers good low-light performance in full color. If you want better contrast, you can use the doorbell’s infrared LEDs for black-and-white. The 160-degree field of view is ample for seeing people, package deliveries, or four-legged visitors if you take the time in finding the best mounting location.

Audio

Since the Abode wireless video doorbell has a built-in mic, visitors can engage in 2-way chat with you after pushing the doorbell’s button. The audio quality is good and more than enough to carry on simple interactions.

Battery Life

The Abode Video Doorbell is made to last about 3 months before you need to recharge it, which I’ve found is comparable to other video doorbells’ charging lifespan. Since I only had this doorbell in place for a couple of weeks, I won’t be able to weigh in on the battery life just yet.

The Abode app will send a notification when the doorbell is low on battery.

Weatherproof Housing

The Abode Wireless Video Doorbell looks and feels sleek and compact, but the company didn’t skimp on ruggedness. With an IP65 waterproof rating, the doorbell’s body offers full protection from dust and water, so you don’t have to worry about those harsher weather conditions. Abode says the doorbell can operate at temperatures from -4 to 113°F, or -20 to 45 C, and I would say that is industry standard across pretty much any video doorbell you’ll find.

Overall Review: Abode Wireless Video Doorbell

As a standalone product, the Abode Wireless Video Doorbell nails the essentials with a simple installation process and decent video quality.

Let’s assess the pros and potential cons so you can make the best decision about it for you.

On the pro side, you get industry standard HD resolution, and the ability to speak to visitors anytime the doorbell rings, as well as take a live look whenever you want. With support for both Alexa and Google devices, you can get notifications to your smart home speakers and screens too. The indoor chime is actually really nice for giving you audible alerts so you don’t always need your smart phone. And the option for different subscription plans including a free version means you can choose only the features you want. The fact that it is wireless and rechargeable means you can place it literally anywhere and it’s great for doors with no existing wiring. And because it’s rechargeable it’s much easier to use.

What are the potential downsides? Some folks may not like the options for the free and paid subscription plans, but I have found this is standard procedure for video doorbells and paying a nominal monthly fee is just something you’ll need to do if you go the video doorbell route. I did note a small delay in notifications but it’s usually only a second or two, and this small delay is quite common across most video doorbells. The only other potential downside could be that the battery itself is not removable so you will need to bring the entire unit inside to recharge, but that doesn’t really feel like a huge hardship.

In short, I found the Abode Wireless Video Doorbell was a good option particularly for areas with no existing doorbell wiring and it was easy to set up and easy to use. And as long as you’re aware of what the potential downsides could be, you should be quite happy with this device.

Abode Wireless Video Doorbell sells for about $99USD and you can get it through Abode’s website.

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

The post Abode Video Doorbell: What to know, how to install, pros & cons appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

The company kickstarted its IP65 ambitions with AC240’s smaller sibling, the AC60, which boasts a 600W output. A full year later after the AC60 announcement, BLUETTI is bringing that dustproof and weatherproof ruggedness to customers seeking a power station that can last days under rough outdoor conditions.

We’d like to thank BLUETTI for sponsoring this post. The company has been a long-term sponsor of the blog which helps us keep things running, and we are grateful for their support. Please read on for a special discount for TechGadget readers.

IP65 – Dust Tight Protection with a Splash of Water Resistance

BLUETTI’s vast array of power stations are geared for outdoor usage as long as you keep them dry. This means rushing to keep the batteries underneath a roof or tent when sudden rainfall occurs. The BLUETTI AC240 eliminates the need for those extra steps thanks to its refined and patented design that adds additional sealing to its electronic compartments along with double-layer protected ports, independent air ducts, and a special drainage system. Thanks to these improvements, the AC240 has earned an IP65 dust and water-resistant rating.

Although the new design doesn’t fully prevent water from entering the power station, the AC240 does utilize internal exhaust fans to expel the water while the built-in heat dissipation system handles the rest by evaporating any remaining moisture. This makes the BLUETTI AC240 a suitable companion for open sea sailing expeditions.

Powerful, Yet Still Compact

Weighing about 72 lbs or 33 kg, the added weatherproofing makes the BLUETTI AC240 weigh a bit more than other BLUETTI products with similar power output. However, the AC240 retains the same microwave-like compact form factor of its siblings allowing easy transport to and from a car, boat, or RV.

The power station’s 2,400-watt output is enough to energize refrigerators, window-type air conditioners, coffee makers, heaters, microwaves, and other appliances. More demanding appliances such as space heaters and hair dryers can also take advantage of the AC240’s Power Lifting mode which raises the power output ceiling to 3,600W.

The BLUETTI AC240 offers two (2) standard AC outlets for plugging these appliances. For smartphones and other small gadgets, the AC240 provides two (2) 18W USB-A ports as well as two (2) 100W USB-C for charging laptops and drones. Other available output options include an RV port, a cigarette lighter outlet, and a NEMA TT-30 port.

The AC240’s internal 1,536Wh LFP battery can sufficiently power a small refrigerator for a day or several smaller appliances for several days. Once fully drained, the AC adapter can recharge the battery from 0% to 80% in 45 minutes using Turbo mode. Up to 1,200W of input from solar panels is supported too as a clean energy alternative.

Stack Up the Power

When the adventure calls for more energy storage, BLUETTI’s B210 expansion battery can add 2,150Wh of power doubling the power station’s overall runtime. The AC240 supports up to four (4) B210 batteries for an effective maximum capacity of 10,136Wh. The B210 batteries have their own trio of DC outputs making them serve as independent water-resistant power banks.

BLUETTI is also introducing a new parallel connection technology with the AC240 being the first to support. This technology enables you to link two AC240 units using a special BLUETTI Parallel Box P480 sold separately to double the total output to 4,800W while retaining the voltage. This breakthrough technology means you can safely invest in a AC240 to save money and later buy a second one when your house expands and you wish to provide backup power to all your appliances.

This simple setup supports parallel connection to the grid too with a slightly reduced output of 4,000W. Because the BLUETTI AC240 offers full UPS functionality, the power station can reliably detect power outages and immediately switch to battery power within a swift, 15-millisecond period.

AI Brains and Brawn

Like other BLUETTI power stations, the AC240 uses a lithium iron phosphate battery which can retain around 80% of its capacity after 3,500 charge cycles. Combined with BLUETTI’s AI battery management technology called BLUETOPUS AI BMS, the AC240 can maximize its efficiency based on usage to achieve the best possible lifespan without sacrificing performance.

If you wish to fine tune these settings, you may use the official BLUETTI app which lets you tweak the various power settings, UPS profiles, and charging speeds. BLUETTI is backing the AC240 with a lengthy 6-year warranty to give its customers that full peace of mind in owning a truly reliable backup power solution.

Pricing and Availability: special discount!

You can purchase the BLUETTI AC240 directly from BLUETTI’s official website and BLUETTI Amazon store for a starting price of $1799. As a bonus to all you TechGadgetsCanada readers, you can score an extra $50 discount with the promo code PR240 if you buy from April 2 to April 29. BLUETTI will launch a slightly bigger variant of the AC240 called the AC240P alongside matching B210P batteries that week as well.

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Pushing Power Boundaries with New Weatherproof BLUETTI AC240 Portable Power Station appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

In this article, I’ll walk you through how an AMZCHEF Slow Juicer operates, how it differs from traditional high-speed centrifugal juicers, and what you can expect from the juice it produces. We will also take a look at AMZCHEF’s top three options which do a lot more than just juicing.  I would like to say a big thank you to the company for sponsoring this post. Their support helps us keep the blog and the YouTube channel running so for that we are very grateful.

Understanding the Slow Juicer

Let’s start by delving into what exactly a slow juicer is and how it functions. Slow juicers, also known as masticating or cold press juicers, employ a gentle crushing or pressing mechanism, often utilizing an auger. Unlike high-speed juicers, which operate with rapid spinning blades, slow juicers work, not surprisingly, at a much lower speed, with minimal heat and friction during the extraction process. What does that mean? For starters, less air or foam being introduced into the juice, a common occurrence with centrifugal juicers.

In some cases slow or masticating juicers can offer different kitchen functions as well; some can be used as meat grinders, ice crushers, or even sno-cone and smoothie makers.

Choosing Between High Speed and Slow Juicers

The debate between high speed and slow juicers often boils down to personal preferences and priorities. While high-speed juicers offer quicker results, they may sacrifice certain juice qualities in the process.

Slow juicers typically produce juice with minimal foam and reduced separation, characteristics commonly associated with centrifugal juicers. Additionally, slow juicers operate quietly compared to their high-speed counterparts.

Closer look: Assembly

Let’s take a closer look at what comes with an AMZCHEF Juicer and how it’s assembled.

AMZCHEF Slow Juicers have several common components, including a feeder tube, pusher, main extraction auger, and pulp disposal unit.

How to use a masticating juicer

To use the juicer, simply feed small pieces of produce into the feeder tube and allow the auger to do its work, crushing the fruit and vegetables to pulp. The resulting juice flows out while pulp is expelled through a narrow tube at the end. The compact pulp pellets can be repurposed for any number of uses, like making a veggie broth, feeding to pets as part of a raw diet, or use it as compost.

Juicing Experience and Clean-up

While AMZCHEF Juicers generally deliver a quiet and efficient juicing experience, they do require patience due to the slower extraction process. However, the absence of foam and juice separation, coupled with the cool and fresh taste of the juice, seems to make it worth the wait.

Cleanup is relatively straightforward, with all components easily disassembled for washing. It’s worth noting that very hot water is not recommended for cleaning, and hand washing is preferable over dishwasher use.

Three options for high quality juicing

AMZCHEF has three models of masticating juicer to choose from.  Let’s look at them from simplest, to most complex.

Masticating Juicer Machines, AMZCHEF Slow Cold Press Juicer with Reverse Function

If you’re looking for a very quiet-running but still very effective juicer, you’ll want to look closer at this countertop model from AMZCHEF. With its 7 spiral masticating auger for maximum juice yield, it helps prevent oxidation and preserve all the wonderful nutrition, effectively pressing fruits and vegetables against a steel filter to extract juice while separating pulp.

It works like a dream on hard veggies ginger, celery, and other fibrous fruits or vegetables but it can also be used to press every drop from oranges and citrus fruits (and all the flavourful oils too!) as well as softer fruits and veg including kiwi, and strawberries. The AMZCHEF Juicer has just a single speed but two settings: forward and reverse. The reverse function proves useful for dislodging any produce lodged in the auger.

AMZCHEF says the noise is less than 60 decibels, while this slow juicer operates at a speed of 80-115 RPM, ensuring a quiet juicing experience. AMZCHEF also says this model juicer can extract up to 90% more juice while minimizing oxidation and preserving nutrients.

This model also brings versatility to your kitchen, since it can also be used as a meat grinder or slicer shredder by purchasing additional attachments.

Find out more here.

AMZCHEF SJ-036 Juicer 5.3-Inch Self-Feeding Masticating Juicer Fit Whole Fruits & Vegetables

The new generation of AMZCHEF juicer is different from traditional juicers. With a wider opening and larger juice capacity of nearly 2 liters, this version frees you from repeatedly feeding the juicer with ingredients.   AMZCHEF SJ-036 Juicer adopts cold-press masticating technology, paired with a strong 250W motor and auger, but at the same time it’s very quiet. This juicer uses a multi-stage cutting, crushing and squeezing process, so that you can get the most juice possible—and retain the original nutrients.

Plus with a triple filter you’ll find less foam and fewer bits in your juice. And with its “stop-on-opening” and anti-drip lid it’s safe and tidy to use too. It comes in many beautiful colors, and has over 8,000 5-star reviews., and it’s clear users love it.

Learn more here.

AMZCHEF 1517: 5 in 1 Slow Masticating Juicer with Slicer/Shredder Attachment, Meat Grinder, Snow Cone Maker

AMZCHEF has created the ultimate kitchen machine with this 5-in-1 multifunctional appliance. It starts with the juicer, which uses the now-familiar mastication mechanism and its 112 RPM slow screw motor to squeeze up to 85% of nutrient-rich juice from almost any fruit or vegetables. This slow, low-heat extraction method lets you maximize the nutritional value of   and reduce oxidation, which is what typically turns fresh juice an off-putting brown colour.

The juicer can handle typical fruits and leafy vegetables plus things like apples, oranges, watermelon or wheatgrass, which you just can’t use with a high speed extractor. With just a 60dB noise level, it’s not going to shake the house either.

But the utility doesn’t stop there; this juicer is also a meat grinder by swapping in a few parts. You can grind fresh meats like chicken, pork, turkey or beef easily. And since the machine disassembles quickly with dishwasher safe parts, the cleanup is ultra easy. It can even shred or slice vegetables for salads.

And since the machine disassembles quickly with dishwasher safe parts, the cleanup is ultra easy. This juicer also does myriad other kitchen tasks too; use it to crush ice, or feed frozen fruit through to make smoothies or sno-cones in an instant. This machine will even make baby food!

Get the details here.

Overall Impression

AMZCHEF Juicers can fullfill almost any kitchen task. With quiet operation, high juice yield, and minimal foam and almost no juice separation these appliances are standout choices for juicing enthusiasts—and those who need an appliance to do more.

Check out more about these AMZCHEF Juicers if you’re looking for a reliable and budget-friendly juicing solution.

You can get the AMZCHEF Masticating Cold Press Slow Juicer on Amazon or check out some of the company’s other products too.

Also Read:

1. Review: Ninja Professional Blender
2. Ninja Blast Portable Blender review

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Everything to know about slow juicers: and 3 to pick from AMZCHEF appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

What is Molekule Air Pro?

Molekule Air Pro is a large format purifier meant to sit on the floor in your room. With a replaceable filter inside, it can purify the air in a space up to 1000 square feet, making it great for open concept homes like mine. You control it by touching the controls on the device, or using the free Molekule app.

Molekule is a new kind of air purifier, and the company says it works differently than others by destroying a large range of pollutants in the air.

How does Molekule work?

Molekule’s air purifiers use what’s called a PECO HEPA Tri-Power filter, which has three layers of protection, and I’ll walk you thorugh what that means: It combines the true HEPA filtration technology we’re all familiar with which has a 99.97% particle-capture rate, with Molekule’s PECO technology that destroys organic pollutants: Things like viruses, bacteria, mold, allergens, volatile organic compounds, chemicals, and more. The third part of the filtration technology is a final layer of carbon filtration to reduce odors and gases, so all you notice is clean, crisp air. Molekule says this makes it one of the most advanced filters on the market with the ability to destroy the widest range of pollutants compared to conventional filters.

Design and form factor

I’ve reviewed plenty of air purifiers and a lot of them look very boxy and unattractive. Molekule has actually made its purifiers to blend into modern spaces. They kind of look more like wireless speakers than air purifiers.

Set up

Getting the Molekule Air Pro set up was quick and easy for me.

• Download the Molekule app and sign up for or sign into your account.
• Place your device on the floor, away from walls for ideal air flow.
• Push down on the top of the purifier and twist it to open.
• Then remove the top and you’ll see your PECO HEPA Tri-Power filter.
• Unwrap it, and place it on the small post inside then replace the lid.
• Plug the Air Pro in and it will come on right away.
• Head to your app and choose which device to add. The app is easy to figure out and it will help get you connected to your home’s Wi-Fi.
• Air Pro starts working immediately.

What is Molekule Auto Protect Mode?

If you don’t want to have to worry about monitoring your purifier and turning it up and down all the time, Auto Protect Mode is for you. Auto Protect allows you to let the machine
measure your air quality on its own, then respond to it, cycling on higher or lower power. There’s two versions of this, standard and quiet.
Auto Protect Standard: When sensors detect dirty air, higher fan speeds engage.
Auto Protect Quiet: Destroys pollutants at evening-appropriate noise levels.

Understanding your Molekule air quality readings

The Air Pro sensor detects six indoor air pollutants, which you can track in the app: VOCs, Relative Humidity, CO2, and three different types of particulate matter. You’ll see four different colors on the Air Pro, and through the app, to indicate the levels of particles. Green means there’s a low level of particles in the air, yellow is moderate, red is bad, and purple means there may be a very unhealthy concentration of particles in the air. There’s no trying to analyze numbers or parts per million just a simple and easy to understand color system.

See your air over time

One of the cool things about this purifier is that will track your indoor air quality over time: You can view your indoor air readings in 5 minute increments, day after day, week after week, helping your track seasonal allergen changes in your air, or to alert you to volatile organic compounds that may end up inside when you get new furniture or carpets, for example. Not only can you see pollutant spikes, you can also see how the Air Pro reacts to destroy them.

Is Molekule Noisy?

The truth about air purifiers is that if they are noisy and make a racket, chances are, you’ll prefer them turn off. Molekule Air Pro is quiet, despite its large size and even when running on high, it wasn’t distracting to me.

Do you have to change the filter? Is it washable?

The Molekule Air Pro has a replaceable filter inside. Why do you need to replace your filter?

Over time the PECO HEPA Tri-Power Filter can become full of dust and hair. This reduces the filter’s effectiveness in trapping and destroying pollutants. The Molekule app will let you know when it’s time to change it. Changing the filter every 6 months ensures that your device is running efficiently.

You can also subscribe to Molekule filters, which will save you over 45% a year, and ensures filter replacements automatically arrive at your house so you don’t have to remember to replace them.

Overall thoughts on Molekule Air Pro

If you have concerns about air quality, you’ll want to take a closer look at Molekule, and there’s a lot I like about my Air Pro.

The design is sleek and modern, it’s easy to set up and use, it runs silently, and most importantly I know it’s not just cleaning and purifying the air; it’s destroying organic material that could be floating around my home. I enjoyed my Molekule experience and I can recommend the Air Pro for people looking to destroy allergens, or anyone concerned with air quality, particularly in larger spaces or your whole home.

Molekule Air Pro sells for about $1014 US. If you’re looking for something for a smaller space or if you’re on a budget, Molekule Air Mini+ sells for about $359 US.

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Molekule Air Pro: see my in home review appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.